Numbers on the barred list between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024.
About this report
Objective
This objective of this report is to:
- report on outcomes regarding dismissals for the most serious discipline matters investigated, as well as dismissals for unsatisfactory performance and attendance
- establish opportunities to determine trends, inform wider learning, and improve integrity and public confidence
A gross misconduct investigation is one where, if the allegation is proven, it could result in dismissal.
Figures in this report
The figures contained in this report relate to regular police officers, members of the Special Constabulary and police staff members who were placed on the barred list due to being dismissed between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024.
Barred list information and legislation
The barred list (The Police Barred list and Police Advisory List Regulations 2017) was introduced by legislation effective from 15 December 2017. This replaced the previous College of Policing disapproved register, which was established on 1 December 2013.
The barred list legislation does not apply to individuals barred from non-Home Office forces or from other agencies. Data from the British Transport Police, the Ministry of Defence Police, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, the States of Jersey Police and the National Crime Agency is not included in this report.
The barred list legislation requires Home Office forces to provide details to the College of Policing of regular police officers, members of the Special Constabulary and police staff members who have been dismissed while serving, or after having retired or resigned. When the barred list legislation came into effect, a change in police regulations permitted officers to retire or resign while under gross misconduct investigation. The same legislation (The Police (Conduct, Complaints and Misconduct and Appear Tribunal) (Amendment) Regulations 2017) allows forces to continue conduct proceedings even when an officer has left the force and to find that the officer would have been dismissed if they were still serving.
There is no legislation that prevents members of police staff from retiring or resigning while under investigation for gross misconduct. Forces are not under a regulatory obligation to hold post-employment hearings. It is up to the force to decide whether such a post-employment hearing, convened according to local employment practices, should be held to determine if the individual would have been dismissed and should be placed on the barred list.
Barred list figures
Police officers
Total police officer dismissals
Table 1: Regular officers placed on the Barred List between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024
| Force | Dismissed while serving | Dismissed post-resignation | Dismissed post-retirement | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avon and Somerset | 5 | 5 | 0 | 10 |
| Bedfordshire | 3 | 9 | 0 | 12 |
| Cambridgeshire | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Cheshire | 1 | 9 | 0 | 10 |
| City of London | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Cleveland | 3 | 6 | 1 | 10 |
| Cumbria | 6 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| Derbyshire | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 |
| Devon and Cornwall | 6 | 8 | 0 | 14 |
| Dorset | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Durham | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Dyfed-Powys | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Essex | 9 | 15 | 1 | 25 |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| Greater Manchester | 18 | 17 | 1 | 36 |
| Gwent | 2 | 8 | 0 | 10 |
| Hampshire | 7 | 6 | 1 | 14 |
| Hertfordshire | 4 | 7 | 0 | 11 |
| Humberside | 4 | 5 | 0 | 9 |
| Kent | 4 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| Lancashire | 3 | 5 | 6 | 14 |
| Leicestershire | 3 | 9 | 0 | 12 |
| Lincolnshire | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| Merseyside | 10 | 12 | 0 | 22 |
| Metropolitan | 68 | 54 | 1 | 123 |
| Norfolk | 5 | 5 | 0 | 10 |
| North Wales | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| North Yorkshire | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Northamptonshire | 4 | 6 | 0 | 10 |
| Northumbria | 13 | 5 | 1 | 19 |
| Nottinghamshire | 6 | 9 | 0 | 15 |
| South Wales | 3 | 11 | 0 | 14 |
| South Yorkshire | 6 | 10 | 0 | 16 |
| Staffordshire | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Suffolk | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Surrey | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Sussex | 7 | 9 | 0 | 16 |
| Thames Valley | 5 | 7 | 0 | 12 |
| Warwickshire | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| West Mercia | 5 | 8 | 1 | 14 |
| West Midlands | 9 | 19 | 1 | 29 |
| West Yorkshire | 12 | 17 | 1 | 30 |
| Wiltshire | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| All forces | 255 | 318 | 20 | 593 |
In total, 2,098 regular police officers have been added to the barred list between its introduction on 15 December 2017 and the end of this reporting period on 31 March 2024.
Table 2: Regular police officers placed on the Barred List between 15 December 2017 and 31 March 2024
| Force | Dec 2017 - Mar 2018 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avon and Somerset | 1 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 58 |
| Bedfordshire | 0 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 38 |
| Cambridgeshire | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 23 |
| Cheshire | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 24 |
| City of London | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
| Cleveland | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 30 |
| Cumbria | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 15 |
| Derbyshire | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 22 |
| Devon and Cornwall | 2 | 7 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 53 |
| Dorset | 1 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 20 |
| Durham | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 9 |
| Dyfed-Powys | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 13 |
| Essex | 3 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 12 | 14 | 25 | 81 |
| Gloucestershire | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 13 |
| Greater Manchester | 5 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 13 | 32 | 36 | 107 |
| Gwent | 2 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 33 |
| Hampshire | 1 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 36 |
| Hertfordshire | 2 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 52 |
| Humberside | 2 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 53 |
| Kent | 3 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 46 |
| Lancashire | 2 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 14 | 40 |
| Leicestershire | 0 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 12 | 44 |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 25 |
| Merseyside | 2 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 13 | 9 | 22 | 60 |
| Metropolitan | 16 | 47 | 54 | 50 | 58 | 88 | 123 | 436 |
| Norfolk | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 24 |
| North Wales | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 21 |
| North Yorkshire | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 21 |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 10 | 40 |
| Northumbria | 0 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 19 | 48 |
| Nottinghamshire | 0 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 60 |
| South Wales | 1 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 59 |
| South Yorkshire | 0 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 16 | 41 |
| Staffordshire | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 16 |
| Suffolk | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 12 |
| Surrey | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 30 |
| Sussex | 3 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 69 |
| Thames Valley | 5 | 19 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 81 |
| Warwickshire | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 13 |
| West Mercia | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 14 | 35 |
| West Midlands | 0 | 18 | 18 | 11 | 11 | 19 | 29 | 106 |
| West Yorkshire | 2 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 10 | 30 | 71 |
| Wiltshire | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 13 |
| All forces | 70 | 253 | 232 | 257 | 299 | 394 | 593 | 2,098 |
Dismissals by police officer rank
Table 3: Ranks of regular police officers placed on the Barred List between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024
| Rank | Dismissed while serving | Dismissed post-resignation | Dismissed post-retirement | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constable | 223 | 284 | 12 | 519 |
| Sergeant | 21 | 23 | 4 | 48 |
| Inspector | 8 | 7 | 1 | 16 |
| Chief inspector | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| Superintendent | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Chief superintendent | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Chief officer | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| All ranks | 255 | 318 | 20 | 593 |
Breaches of standards of professional behaviour
Table 4 presents the different breaches of the standards of professional behaviour, as outlined in Schedule 2 of the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020, that were recorded for the dismissals of regular police officers.
The number of reasons recorded (1,339) was greater than the number of officers dismissed (593), because several breaches of the standards of professional behaviour can be recorded for a single dismissal. All categories were based on descriptions of the misconduct found at the hearing and reported to the College.
Table 4: Categories of the breaches of the SPB by regular police officers placed on the Barred List between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024
| Standards of professional behaviour breached | Number of instances |
|---|---|
| Authority, respect and courtesy | 200 |
| Challenging and reporting improper behaviour | 26 |
| Confidentiality | 73 |
| Discreditable conduct | 518 |
| Duties and responsibilities | 84 |
| Equality and diversity | 78 |
| Fitness for work | 22 |
| Honesty and integrity | 230 |
| Orders and instructions | 76 |
| Unsatisfactory attendance | 1 |
| Unsatisfactory performance | 3 |
| Use of force | 28 |
| Total | 1,339 |
Reasons for police officer dismissals
Table 5 presents the categories that were recorded for the dismissal of regular police officers. Categories will change yearly based on the misconduct reported.
The number of reasons recorded (912) was greater than the number of officers dismissed (593) because some categories overlapped into others. All categories were based on descriptions of the conduct that were reported to the College.
Year-on-year breaches have not been added, as categories change. See previous annual reports with this information.
Table 5: Categories of dismissal for regular police officers placed on the Barred List between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024
| Categories for dismissal | Number of instances |
|---|---|
| Absent without authority | 14 |
| Abuse of authority | 33 |
| Abuse of position for sexual purpose | 33 |
| Alcohol related behaviour | 21 |
| Animal cruelty | 0 |
| Assault (domestic) | 12 |
| Assault (other) | 45 |
| Assisting an offender | 0 |
| Breach of non molestation order | 1 |
| Breach of the peace | 0 |
| Bullying behaviour | 0 |
| Child cruelty | 0 |
| Child protection failure | 0 |
| Child sexual offence | 11 |
| Coercive or controlling behaviour | 10 |
| Corruption | 1 |
| Criminal damage | 4 |
| Cruelty to an animal | 1 |
| Death by dangerous driving | 1 |
| Discriminatory behaviour | 71 |
| Discriminatory WhatsApp group | 18 |
| Dishonesty | 125 |
| Domestic abuse or harassment | 14 |
| Drink driving | 29 |
| Driving offences | 10 |
| Drug driving | 1 |
| Drugs | 35 |
| Excessive use of force | 5 |
| Extreme pornography | 2 |
| Failure to declare a notifiable association | 6 |
| Failure to supervise or report wrongdoing | 8 |
| False imprisonment | 1 |
| Fraud or forgery | 9 |
| Gambling | 1 |
| Harassment (Other) | 9 |
| Harbouring a child | 1 |
| Inappropriate communications | 49 |
| Inappropriate relations | 17 |
| Indecent images of children | 18 |
| Kidnap | 1 |
| Malicious communications | 0 |
| Manslaughter | 0 |
| Member of proscribed organisation | 0 |
| Misconduct in public office | 10 |
| Murder | 0 |
| Offensive weapon | 0 |
| Outraging public decency | 1 |
| Perverting or attempt to pervert the course of justice | 4 |
| Possession of firearm | 0 |
| Posting pornographic material onto internet | 1 |
| Powers/policies or procedures | 87 |
| Prohibited weapon | 1 |
| Public order offences | 3 |
| Rape | 6 |
| Refused lawful order | 2 |
| Sexual assault | 1 |
| Sexual communication with a child | 1 |
| Sexual offences or misconduct | 74 |
| Sexual/inappropriate touching | 4 |
| Stalking | 5 |
| Theft | 7 |
| Threatening behaviour | 1 |
| Threats of violence | 1 |
| Unauthorised business interest | 8 |
| Unlawful access or disclosure of information | 66 |
| Unsatisfactory attendance | 2 |
| Unsatisfactory performance | 0 |
| Vetting failure | 9 |
| Voyeurism | 1 |
| Total | 912 |
Special Constabulary
Total Special Constabulary dismissals
The figures in this section relate to members of the Special Constabulary who were placed on the Barred List in the reporting period of 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.
Table 6: Special Constabulary officers placed on the Barred List between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024
| Force | Dismissed while serving | Dismissed post-resignation | Dismissed post-retirement | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avon and Somerset | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bedfordshire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cambridgeshire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cheshire | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| City of London | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cleveland | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Cumbria | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Derbyshire | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Devon and Cornwall | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Dorset | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Durham | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dyfed-Powys | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Essex | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Gloucestershire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Greater Manchester | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gwent | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hampshire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hertfordshire | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Humberside | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Kent | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lancashire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Leicestershire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lincolnshire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merseyside | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Metropolitan | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Norfolk | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| North Wales | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| North Yorkshire | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Northamptonshire | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Northumbria | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nottinghamshire | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| South Wales | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| South Yorkshire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Staffordshire | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Suffolk | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Surrey | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sussex | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Thames Valley | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Warwickshire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| West Mercia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| West Midlands | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| West Yorkshire | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Wiltshire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| All forces | 10 | 20 | 0 | 30 |
In total, since its introduction on 15 December 2017 to the end of this reporting period, 31 March 2024, 193 members of the Special Constabulary have been added to the Barred List. This is broken down by force in table 7.
Table 7: Special Constabulary officers placed on the Barred List by force per reporting periods.
| Force | Dec 2017 - Mar 2018 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avon and Somerset | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| Bedfordshire | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Cambridgeshire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Cheshire | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| City of London | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Cleveland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Cumbria | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Derbyshire | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Devon and Cornwall | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
| Dorset | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Durham | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dyfed-Powys | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Essex | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 12 |
| Gloucestershire | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Greater Manchester | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| Gwent | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hampshire | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Hertfordshire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Humberside | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Kent | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Lancashire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Leicestershire | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Lincolnshire | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Merseyside | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Metropolitan | 1 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 39 |
| Norfolk | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| North Wales | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| North Yorkshire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Northamptonshire | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 14 |
| Northumbria | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Nottinghamshire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| South Wales | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| South Yorkshire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Suffolk | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Surrey | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Sussex | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Thames Valley | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| Warwickshire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| West Mercia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| West Midlands | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| West Yorkshire | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| Wiltshire | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| All forces | 3 | 28 | 32 | 29 | 37 | 34 | 30 | 193 |
Outcomes by Special Constabulary rank
Table 8: Ranks of Special Constabulary officers placed on the Barred List between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024
| Rank | Dismissed while serving | Dismissed post-resignation | Dismissed post-retirement | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constable | 10 | 16 | 0 | 26 |
| Sergeant | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Inspector | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chief inspector | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Superintendent | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chief Superintendent | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chief officer | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| All ranks | 10 | 20 | 0 | 30 |
Breaches of standards of professional behaviour
Table 9 presents the different breaches of the standards of professional behaviour, as outlined in Schedule 2 of the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020, that were recorded for the dismissals of Special Constabulary officers.
The number of reasons recorded (59) was greater than the number of officers dismissed (30), because several breaches of the standards of professional behaviour can be recorded for a single dismissal.
All categories were based on descriptions of the misconduct found at the hearing and reported to the College.
Table 9: Categories of the breaches of the SPB by Special Constabulary officers placed on the Barred List between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024
| Standards of professional behaviour breached | Number of instances |
|---|---|
| Authority / respect and courtesy | 6 |
| Challenging and reporting improper behaviour | 1 |
| Confidentiality | 5 |
| Discreditable conduct | 26 |
| Duties and responsibilities | 4 |
| Equality and diversity | 2 |
| Fitness for work | 1 |
| Honesty and integrity | 11 |
| Orders and instructions | 3 |
| Unsatisfactory attendance | 0 |
| Unsatisfactory performance | 0 |
| Use of force | 0 |
| Total | 59 |
Reasons for Special Constabulary dismissals
Table 10 presents the categories that were recorded for the dismissal of Special Constabulary officers. Categories will change yearly based on the misconduct reported.
The number of reasons recorded (43) was greater than the number of officers dismissed (30) because some categories overlapped into others. All categories were based on descriptions of the conduct that were reported to the College.
Year-on-year breaches have not been added, as categories change. See previous annual reports with this information.
Table 10: Categories of dismissal for Special Constabulary officers placed on the Barred List between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024
| Categories of dismissal | Number of instances |
|---|---|
| Absent without authority | 0 |
| Abuse of authority | 2 |
| Abuse of position for sexual purpose | 1 |
| Alcohol related behaviour | 1 |
| Animal cruelty | 0 |
| Assault (domestic) | 1 |
| Assault (other) | 2 |
| Assisting an offender | 0 |
| Breach of non molestation order | 0 |
| Breach of the peace | 0 |
| Bullying behaviour | 0 |
| Child cruelty | 0 |
| Child protection failure | 0 |
| Child sexual offence | 1 |
| Coercive or controlling behaviour | 0 |
| Corruption | 0 |
| Criminal damage | 0 |
| Cruelty to an animal | 0 |
| Death by dangerous driving | 0 |
| Discriminatory behaviour | 2 |
| Discriminatory WhatsApp group | 1 |
| Dishonesty | 8 |
| Domestic abuse or harassment | 1 |
| Drink driving | 4 |
| Driving offences | 0 |
| Drug driving | 0 |
| Drugs | 0 |
| Excessive use of force | 0 |
| Extreme pornography | 0 |
| Failure to declare a notifiable association | 0 |
| Failure to supervise or report wrongdoing | 1 |
| False imprisonment | 0 |
| Fraud or forgery | 0 |
| Gambling | 0 |
| Harassment (other) | 0 |
| Harbouring a child | 0 |
| Inappropriate communications | 1 |
| Inappropriate relations | 0 |
| Indecent images of children | 0 |
| Kidnap | 0 |
| Malicious communications | 1 |
| Manslaughter | 0 |
| Member of proscribed organisation | 0 |
| Misconduct in public office | 0 |
| Murder | 0 |
| Offensive weapon | 1 |
| Outraging public decency | 0 |
| Perverting or attempt to pervert the course of justice | 0 |
| Possession of firearm | 0 |
| Posting pornographic material onto internet | 0 |
| Powers/policies or procedures | 4 |
| Prohibited weapon | 0 |
| Public order offences | 0 |
| Rape | 0 |
| Refused lawful order | 0 |
| Sexual assault | 0 |
| Sexual communication with a child | 0 |
| Sexual offences or misconduct | 4 |
| Sexual/inappropriate touching | 0 |
| Stalking | 0 |
| Theft | 1 |
| Threatening behaviour | 0 |
| Threats of violence | 0 |
| Unauthorised business interest | 0 |
| Unlawful access or disclosure of information | 5 |
| Unsatisfactory attendance | 0 |
| Unsatisfactory performance | 0 |
| Vetting failure | 1 |
| Voyeurism | 0 |
| Total | 43 |
Police staff
Total police staff dismissals
Table 11: Police staff placed on the Barred List between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024
| Force | Dismissed while serving | Dismissed post-resignation | Dismissed post-retirement | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avon and Somerset | 5 | 6 | 0 | 11 |
| Bedfordshire | 2 | 4 | 0 | 6 |
| Cambridgeshire | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Cheshire | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| City of London | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Cleveland | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Cumbria | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Derbyshire | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Devon and Cornwall | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| Dorset | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Durham | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Dyfed-Powys | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Essex | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| Greater Manchester | 8 | 7 | 0 | 15 |
| Gwent | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Hampshire | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Hertfordshire | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Humberside | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Kent | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| Lancashire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Leicestershire | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Lincolnshire | 6 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| Merseyside | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
| Metropolitan | 26 | 6 | 0 | 32 |
| Norfolk | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| North Wales | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| North Yorkshire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northamptonshire | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Northumbria | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| South Wales | 2 | 4 | 1 | 7 |
| South Yorkshire | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Suffolk | 5 | 3 | 0 | 8 |
| Surrey | 6 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| Sussex | 9 | 4 | 0 | 13 |
| Thames Valley | 4 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| Warwickshire | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| West Mercia | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| West Midlands | 4 | 8 | 0 | 12 |
| West Yorkshire | 2 | 5 | 0 | 7 |
| Wiltshire | 2 | 4 | 0 | 6 |
| All forces | 131 | 99 | 3 | 233 |
In total, 988 members of police staff have been added to the barred list between its introduction on 15 December 2017 and the end of this reporting period on 31 March 2024. This is broken down by force in table 12.
Table 12: Police staff placed on the barred list by force per reporting periods
| Force | Dec 2017 - Mar 2018 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avon and Somerset | 1 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 11 | 52 |
| Bedfordshire | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 13 |
| Cambridgeshire | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Cheshire | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 16 |
| City of London | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Cleveland | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| Cumbria | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| Derbyshire | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 15 |
| Devon and Cornwall | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 15 |
| Dorset | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 17 |
| Durham | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Dyfed-Powys | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Essex | 2 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 38 |
| Gloucestershire | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 10 |
| Greater Manchester | 1 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 57 |
| Gwent | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Hampshire | 1 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 24 |
| Hertfordshire | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 21 |
| Humberside | 3 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 38 |
| Kent | 2 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 47 |
| Lancashire | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 23 |
| Lincolnshire | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 18 |
| Merseyside | 2 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 42 |
| Metropolitan | 1 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 18 | 32 | 102 |
| Norfolk | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 11 |
| North Wales | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 |
| North Yorkshire | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Northamptonshire | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 14 |
| Northumbria | 1 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 26 |
| Nottinghamshire | 2 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 30 |
| South Wales | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 22 |
| South Yorkshire | 0 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 24 |
| Staffordshire | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| Suffolk | 2 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 21 |
| Surrey | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 16 |
| Sussex | 0 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 3 | 13 | 42 |
| Thames Valley | 1 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 34 |
| Warwickshire | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 12 |
| West Mercia | 0 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 22 |
| West Midlands | 0 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 49 |
| West Yorkshire | 1 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 7 | 36 |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 20 |
| All forces | 31 | 110 | 132 | 167 | 145 | 170 | 233 | 988 |
Breaches of standards of professional behaviour
Table 13 presents the different breaches of the standards of professional behaviour, as outlined in the Police Staff Council joint circular no. 54, that were recorded for the dismissal of police staff.
The number of reasons recorded (435) was greater than the number of staff members dismissed (233), because several breaches could have been recorded for each dismissal. All categories are based on descriptions of the misconduct found at the hearing and reported to the College.
Table 13: Categories of the breaches of the standards of professional behaviour by police staff placed on the barred list between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024
| Standards of professional behaviour breached | Number of instances |
|---|---|
| Authority / respect and courtesy | 59 |
| Challenging and reporting improper behaviour | 4 |
| Confidentiality | 29 |
| Discreditable conduct | 172 |
| Duties and responsibilities | 31 |
| Equality and diversity | 21 |
| Fitness for work | 7 |
| Honesty and integrity | 69 |
| Orders and instructions | 30 |
| Unsatisfactory attendance | 7 |
| Unsatisfactory performance | 5 |
| Use of force | 1 |
| Total | 435 |
Reasons for police staff dismissals
Table 14 presents the categories that were recorded for the dismissal of police staff. Categories will change yearly based on the misconduct reported.
The number of reasons recorded (319) was greater than the number of police staff dismissed (233) because some categories overlapped into others. All categories were based on descriptions of the conduct that were reported to the College.
Year-on-year breaches have not been added, as categories change. See previous annual reports with this information.
Table 14: Categories of dismissal for police staff placed on the Barred List between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024
| Categories for dismissal | Number of instances |
|---|---|
| Absent without authority | 8 |
| Abuse of authority | 6 |
| Abuse of position for sexual purpose | 7 |
| Alcohol related behaviour | 7 |
| Animal cruelty | 0 |
| Assault (domestic) | 4 |
| Assault (other) | 9 |
| Assisting an offender | 0 |
| Breach of non-molestation order | 0 |
| Breach of the peace | 1 |
| Bullying behaviour | 1 |
| Child cruelty | 2 |
| Child protection failure | 2 |
| Child sexual offence | 3 |
| Coercive or controlling behaviour | 0 |
| Corruption | 0 |
| Criminal damage | 2 |
| Cruelty to an animal | 0 |
| Death by dangerous driving | 0 |
| Discriminatory behaviour | 31 |
| Discriminatory WhatsApp group | 1 |
| Dishonesty | 45 |
| Domestic abuse or harassment | 2 |
| Drink driving | 14 |
| Driving offences | 5 |
| Drug driving | 0 |
| Drugs | 11 |
| Excessive use of force | 0 |
| Extreme pornography | 0 |
| Failure to declare a notifiable association | 4 |
| Failure to supervise or report wrongdoing | 4 |
| False imprisonment | 0 |
| Fraud or forgery | 3 |
| Gambling | 0 |
| Harassment (other) | 6 |
| Harbouring a child | 0 |
| Inappropriate communications | 15 |
| Inappropriate relations | 5 |
| Indecent images of children | 3 |
| Kidnap | 0 |
| Malicious communications | 1 |
| Manslaughter | 0 |
| Member of proscribed organisation | 1 |
| Misconduct in public office | 3 |
| Murder | 0 |
| Offensive weapon | 0 |
| Outraging public decency | 0 |
| Perverting or attempt to pervert the course of justice | 2 |
| Possession of firearm | 1 |
| Posting pornographic material onto internet | 1 |
| Powers/policies or procedures | 20 |
| Prohibited weapon | 0 |
| Public order offences | 1 |
| Rape | 0 |
| Refused lawful order | 0 |
| Sexual assault | 0 |
| Sexual communication with a child | 0 |
| Sexual offences or misconduct | 26 |
| Sexual/inappropriate touching | 1 |
| Stalking | 1 |
| Theft | 9 |
| Threatening behaviour | 1 |
| Threats of violence | 1 |
| Unauthorised business interest | 1 |
| Unlawful access or disclosure of information | 37 |
| Unsatisfactory attendance | 6 |
| Unsatisfactory performance | 3 |
| Vetting failure | 2 |
| Voyeurism | 0 |
| Total | 319 |
Ethnicity and gender of dismissed officers and staff
The figures presented in the following tables summarise the information sent by police forces to the College on the protected characteristics of officers and staff placed on the barred list between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024.
The 'Prefer not to say / not recorded’ field relates to data that was not provided to the College.
Table 15: The ethnicity of those placed on the Barred list between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024
| Ethnicity | Police officers and Special Constabulary | Police staff | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black/black British or other minority ethnic background | 79 | 36 | 115 |
| Not recorded | 14 | 5 | 19 |
| White background | 530 | 192 | 722 |
| Total | 623 | 233 | 856 |
Table 16: The gender of those placed on the Barred list between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024
| Gender | Police officers and Special Constabulary | Police staff | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prefer to self-describe | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Female | 97 | 81 | 178 |
| Male | 491 | 142 | 633 |
| Prefer not to say | 34 | 9 | 43 |
| Total | 623 | 233 | 856 |
Publication of information
The legislation requires the College to publish specified information in relation to officers and former officers (including members of the Special Constabulary) who are dismissed for gross misconduct, as outlined in The Police Barred List and Police Advisory List Regulations 2017. The legislation does not provide for the publication of specified information relating to police staff members who are similarly dismissed.
The College must not publish any of the specified information in instances where publishing some or all of that information:
- would be against the interest of national security
- might prejudice the investigation or prosecution of a criminal offence of any civil proceedings
- would result in a significant risk of harm to any person
Of the 2,093 regular police officers and members of the Special Constabulary placed on the barred list following a gross misconduct dismissal, 51 officers were granted exemptions relating to the points above. Most of these names will be published in the future following the conclusion of criminal or civil proceedings where there is no longer a risk of prejudice to ongoing investigations.